Summary
At its meeting on 13 November 2014, the Committee agreed its approach to its work on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the implications for Scotland.
Background information
Trade policy is an exclusive competence of the European Union and the European Commission is responsible for negotiating international trade on behalf of the EU Member States. TTIP aims to remove trade barriers in a wide range of economic sectors to make it easier to buy and sell goods and services between the EU and the US. The negotiations began in July 2013 and it is expected that these negotiations will continue until summer 2015.
Evidence sessions
19 February 2015
The Committee took evidence from Lord Livingston, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment.
Supplementary written evidence from Lord Livingston to Nicola Sturgeon, First Mininster.
5 February 2015
The Committee took evidence from John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Consititution and Economy.
The Committee took evidence, in a video conference, from Hiddo Houben, Deputy Chief Negotiator for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, European Commission.
Scottish MEPs submitted written evidence to the Committee
The Committee held roundtable discussions on 27 November and 11 December 2014 to hear the views of stakeholders on the relative opportunities and risks that an EU-US trade agreement could have in Scotland across key devolved areas.
Witnesses for 27 November 2014 Committee meeting:
Mary Alexander, Unite Scotland
David Anderson, University and College Union
Arianna Andreangeli, Edinburgh University
Stephen Boyd, STUC
Richard Dixon, Friends of the Earth Scotland
Liz Murray, World Development Movement
Scott Walker, National Farmers Union Scotland
Dave Watson, Unison Scotland
Witnesses for 11 December 2014 Committee meeting:
David Breckenridge, Scottish Textile and Leather Association
John Crawford, Scottish Enterprise
Benny Hartop, Hawick Knitwear Company
Allan Hogarth, Scottish North American Business Council and the Institute of Directors Scotland
Scott Johnstone, Scottish Life Sciences Association
David Williamson, Scotch Whisky Association
Written evidence received:
SPICe briefing for the Committee: